|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
Tours in Edinburgh |
Edinburgh Castle
This is Scotland's most famous tourist attraction, built on the core of an extinct volcano. There has been a stronghold on this site since at least the first century AD. Edinburgh Castle now houses the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, Mons Meg (a massive 15th-century cannon) and the army headquarters of the Scottish Division. The panorama from the battlements provides a splendid view over the city.
Castlehill
Tel: (0131) 225 9846.
Website: www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1800 (Apr-Sep); daily 0930-1700 (Oct-Mar); last entrance 45 minutes before closing time.
Admission charge.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse sits at the eastern end of the Royal Mile and has been the royal quarter of Edinburgh since 1128, when David I founded an abbey here. Most of the present building dates from the reign of Charles II, who ordered the palace's reconstruction. The palace remains the Queen's official residence in Scotland and may be closed when the royal family is stopping over.
Canongate, Royal Mile
Tel: (0131) 556 5100.
Website: www.royal.gov.uk
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1800 (Mar-Oct); daily 0930-1630 (Nov-Feb); last entrance 45 minutes before closing time.
Admission charge.
National Gallery of Scotland
The collection of European paintings and sculpture dating from the Renaissance to the 19th century is Scotland's greatest and includes works by Van Dyck, Tiepolo, Pisarro, Monet, Cézanne, El Greco, Raphael, Titian and Botticelli. The Royal Scottish Academy is accessed through the award-winning Weston Link. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is located nearby, at 1 Queen Street.
The Mound
Tel: (0131) 624 6200.
Website: www.nationalgalleries.org
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 1000-1700, Thurs 1000-1900.
Free admission.
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
This gallery first opened in 1960 and moved to its present location, a William Burn building, west of the city centre, in 1984. Paintings by 20th-century masters such as Lucien Freud, Adrian Wiszniewski and the Scottish colourists are on display indoors, while the garden is dotted with sculptures by Henry Moore (among others). Opposite is the Dean Gallery, a stylish gallery that opened in 1999 to house a large collection of works by sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi. The gallery also contains works by surrealists, such as Dali and Magritte, as well as works by Picasso. A free galleries bus operates hourly 1100-1700 between this gallery and Dean Gallery in the West End and the National Gallery of Scotland and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in the New Town.
75 Belford Road
Tel: (0131) 624 6200.
Website: www.nationalgalleries.org
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 1000-1700, Thurs 1000-1900.
Free admission.
National Museum of Scotland
This museum comprises two buildings: the Museum of Scotland and the Royal Museum. The multi-level Museum of Scotland opened in 1998 in a spectacular purpose-built landmark building. The exhibits detail the country's history from its geological formation and earliest inhabitants up to the 20th century. Scotland's regional treasures are also on display. Exhibits include a travelling canteen belonging to Bonnie Prince Charlie. Two days could easily be spent in the museum. However, to enjoy the highlights there are daily guided tours. It is conveniently joined to the Royal Museum, which has displays covering everything from Japanese art to the stuffed remains of ‘Dolly the Sheep', and is currently in the midst of a major renovation. (The main part of the Royal Museum building will be closed for three years from 28 April 2008.) The rooftop terrace of the Museum of Scotland offers great views of the city.
Chambers Street
Tel: (0131) 225 7534.
Website: www.nms.ac.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700.
Free admission.
Our Dynamic Earth
Built to commemorate the coming of the millennium with the aid of Millennium Commission funding, Our Dynamic Earth tells the story of how the earth was created. Using special effects and advanced technology, visitors can travel back in time (via a ‘time machine') to witness the birth of the earth, before journeying to the centre of the planet to experience a volcanic eruption, see polar ice caps and a tropical rainforest. A visit lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Holyrood Road
Tel: (0131) 550 7800.
Website: www.dynamicearth.co.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700 (Apr-Oct); daily 1000-1800 (Jul-Aug); Wed-Sun 1000-1700 (Nov-Mar); last entrance 70 minutes before closing time.
Admission charge.
The Georgian House
Part of Charlotte Square, at the heart of Edinburgh's New Town, the Georgian House is furnished with the same kind of china, silver, paintings and furniture that would have been in use around 1796. There are also temporary exhibitions at nearby 28 Charlotte Square as well as a popular cafe and restaurant.
The National Trust for Scotland, 7 Charlotte Square
Tel: (0131) 225 2160.
Website: www.nts.org.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1100-1600 (early Mar); daily 1000-1700 (late Mar-Jun and Sep-Oct); daily 1000-1800 (Jul-Aug); daily 1100-1500 (Nov); hours liable to change; last entrance 30 minutes before closing time.
Free admission.
St Giles' Cathedral
A church has stood on the site of St Giles' Cathedral, the High Kirk of Edinburgh, since the 12th century. The present building, with its distinctive open-crown steeple supported by eight flying buttresses, dates back to the 16th century. John Knox became the first Protestant minister here, after the Reformation. Inside, the stunning Thistle Chapel is noted for its ornate wooden carving. Used also for major Scottish funerals such as the last send off of politician Robin Cook in 2005.
High Street, Royal Mile
Tel: (0131) 225 9442.
Website: www.stgiles.net
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1900, Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1300-1700 (May-Sep); Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1300-1700 (Oct-Apr).
Free admission; donations are welcome.
Royal Yacht Britannia
Now that the Royal Yacht Britannia has been decommissioned, it is open to the public as an award-winning floating museum. Visitors can explore its decks and gain an insight into the lives of both the Royal Family and the ship's crew. The Queen's bedroom is top of everyone's 'must see' list. A complementary exhibition outlines the vessel's final year in service as the Royal Yacht.
Ocean Terminal, Leith
Tel: (0131) 555 5566.
Website: www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1630 (Apr-Oct); daily 0930-1630 (Jul-Aug); daily 1000-1530 (Nov-Mar); last entrance 90 minutes before closing time.
Admission charge.
The Scotch Whisky Experience
Scotland is defined by its fine whiskies - tourists flock from far afield to sample the smooth wares. The one-hour tour of the Scotch Whisky Experience includes talks on the production of single malt whisky, the different whisky-producing regions and how whisky is distilled.
354 Castlehill, Royal Mile
Tel: (0131) 220 0441.
Website: www.whisky-heritage.co.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1800 (Oct-Apr); daily 0930-1830 (May-Sep); last tour departs one hour before closing time.
Admission charge.
This is Scotland's most famous tourist attraction, built on the core of an extinct volcano. There has been a stronghold on this site since at least the first century AD. Edinburgh Castle now houses the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, Mons Meg (a massive 15th-century cannon) and the army headquarters of the Scottish Division. The panorama from the battlements provides a splendid view over the city.
Castlehill
Tel: (0131) 225 9846.
Website: www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1800 (Apr-Sep); daily 0930-1700 (Oct-Mar); last entrance 45 minutes before closing time.
Admission charge.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse sits at the eastern end of the Royal Mile and has been the royal quarter of Edinburgh since 1128, when David I founded an abbey here. Most of the present building dates from the reign of Charles II, who ordered the palace's reconstruction. The palace remains the Queen's official residence in Scotland and may be closed when the royal family is stopping over.
Canongate, Royal Mile
Tel: (0131) 556 5100.
Website: www.royal.gov.uk
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1800 (Mar-Oct); daily 0930-1630 (Nov-Feb); last entrance 45 minutes before closing time.
Admission charge.
National Gallery of Scotland
The collection of European paintings and sculpture dating from the Renaissance to the 19th century is Scotland's greatest and includes works by Van Dyck, Tiepolo, Pisarro, Monet, Cézanne, El Greco, Raphael, Titian and Botticelli. The Royal Scottish Academy is accessed through the award-winning Weston Link. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is located nearby, at 1 Queen Street.
The Mound
Tel: (0131) 624 6200.
Website: www.nationalgalleries.org
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 1000-1700, Thurs 1000-1900.
Free admission.
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
This gallery first opened in 1960 and moved to its present location, a William Burn building, west of the city centre, in 1984. Paintings by 20th-century masters such as Lucien Freud, Adrian Wiszniewski and the Scottish colourists are on display indoors, while the garden is dotted with sculptures by Henry Moore (among others). Opposite is the Dean Gallery, a stylish gallery that opened in 1999 to house a large collection of works by sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi. The gallery also contains works by surrealists, such as Dali and Magritte, as well as works by Picasso. A free galleries bus operates hourly 1100-1700 between this gallery and Dean Gallery in the West End and the National Gallery of Scotland and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in the New Town.
75 Belford Road
Tel: (0131) 624 6200.
Website: www.nationalgalleries.org
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 1000-1700, Thurs 1000-1900.
Free admission.
National Museum of Scotland
This museum comprises two buildings: the Museum of Scotland and the Royal Museum. The multi-level Museum of Scotland opened in 1998 in a spectacular purpose-built landmark building. The exhibits detail the country's history from its geological formation and earliest inhabitants up to the 20th century. Scotland's regional treasures are also on display. Exhibits include a travelling canteen belonging to Bonnie Prince Charlie. Two days could easily be spent in the museum. However, to enjoy the highlights there are daily guided tours. It is conveniently joined to the Royal Museum, which has displays covering everything from Japanese art to the stuffed remains of ‘Dolly the Sheep', and is currently in the midst of a major renovation. (The main part of the Royal Museum building will be closed for three years from 28 April 2008.) The rooftop terrace of the Museum of Scotland offers great views of the city.
Chambers Street
Tel: (0131) 225 7534.
Website: www.nms.ac.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700.
Free admission.
Our Dynamic Earth
Built to commemorate the coming of the millennium with the aid of Millennium Commission funding, Our Dynamic Earth tells the story of how the earth was created. Using special effects and advanced technology, visitors can travel back in time (via a ‘time machine') to witness the birth of the earth, before journeying to the centre of the planet to experience a volcanic eruption, see polar ice caps and a tropical rainforest. A visit lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Holyrood Road
Tel: (0131) 550 7800.
Website: www.dynamicearth.co.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700 (Apr-Oct); daily 1000-1800 (Jul-Aug); Wed-Sun 1000-1700 (Nov-Mar); last entrance 70 minutes before closing time.
Admission charge.
The Georgian House
Part of Charlotte Square, at the heart of Edinburgh's New Town, the Georgian House is furnished with the same kind of china, silver, paintings and furniture that would have been in use around 1796. There are also temporary exhibitions at nearby 28 Charlotte Square as well as a popular cafe and restaurant.
The National Trust for Scotland, 7 Charlotte Square
Tel: (0131) 225 2160.
Website: www.nts.org.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1100-1600 (early Mar); daily 1000-1700 (late Mar-Jun and Sep-Oct); daily 1000-1800 (Jul-Aug); daily 1100-1500 (Nov); hours liable to change; last entrance 30 minutes before closing time.
Free admission.
St Giles' Cathedral
A church has stood on the site of St Giles' Cathedral, the High Kirk of Edinburgh, since the 12th century. The present building, with its distinctive open-crown steeple supported by eight flying buttresses, dates back to the 16th century. John Knox became the first Protestant minister here, after the Reformation. Inside, the stunning Thistle Chapel is noted for its ornate wooden carving. Used also for major Scottish funerals such as the last send off of politician Robin Cook in 2005.
High Street, Royal Mile
Tel: (0131) 225 9442.
Website: www.stgiles.net
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1900, Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1300-1700 (May-Sep); Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1300-1700 (Oct-Apr).
Free admission; donations are welcome.
Royal Yacht Britannia
Now that the Royal Yacht Britannia has been decommissioned, it is open to the public as an award-winning floating museum. Visitors can explore its decks and gain an insight into the lives of both the Royal Family and the ship's crew. The Queen's bedroom is top of everyone's 'must see' list. A complementary exhibition outlines the vessel's final year in service as the Royal Yacht.
Ocean Terminal, Leith
Tel: (0131) 555 5566.
Website: www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1630 (Apr-Oct); daily 0930-1630 (Jul-Aug); daily 1000-1530 (Nov-Mar); last entrance 90 minutes before closing time.
Admission charge.
The Scotch Whisky Experience
Scotland is defined by its fine whiskies - tourists flock from far afield to sample the smooth wares. The one-hour tour of the Scotch Whisky Experience includes talks on the production of single malt whisky, the different whisky-producing regions and how whisky is distilled.
354 Castlehill, Royal Mile
Tel: (0131) 220 0441.
Website: www.whisky-heritage.co.uk
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1800 (Oct-Apr); daily 0930-1830 (May-Sep); last tour departs one hour before closing time.
Admission charge.
View Our Airport Guides for Edinburgh:
Edinburgh Airport